A New Design for Nuclear
Plants: The Pebble Bed Reactor

New nuclear power
reactor designs could help ease concerns over the safety of nuclear power
generation. One new design called the "pebble bed reactor" differs
in several ways from the current generation of reactors. First is the
form of the fuel. The uranium is encased in small graphite spheres about
the size of a pool ball, instead of the long rods of fuel used now. Experts
believe this new design is a safer way to contain the fuel. Other design
changes include using helium instead of water as a coolant and as a more
efficient way to transfer energy.

The design of the
pebble bed reactor is more flexible than current designs because it is
modular  it is built from several parts that can be joined together.
Smaller units mean more can be joined together in order to increase the
power of a plant as needed. Current reactors dont have that kind
of flexibility. Designers of this new reactor believe it will be safer,
more efficient and more flexible than current designs. Will this new design
impact public perception of nuclear power?